Ladder-support.



J. W. JOHNSON.

LADDER SUPPORT. APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1911.

1,027,546. Patented May 28, 1912. N V 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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n PH (JO-,WASNINGTON n c J. W. JOHNSON.

. LADDER SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED szrr ls mu.

1,027,54 patenteama 28,1912.

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1' U ITIED TATES P TENT OFFICE.

JAMES w. .ro-rnvso v, or nn'rnorr, .MIGHIGAN.

. LADDER-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

T all/whom it may concern:

Be it known that'LJAMEs W. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne andState of Michigan, have invented certain new, and useful Improvements in Ladder-Supports, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relatesto devices forgathering fruit from trees, and more particularly to an adjustable and portable devicefor supporting'a ladder in close proximity to a tree from which the fruit is to f be gathered,

The device consists more specifically of an attachment for the ordinary step ladder by which the same may be provided with suitable means for supporting a ladder of common type, said attachment consisting of a plate secured to each end of the top step of the step ladder, this plate being provided with openings for the reception of the vertical sides of a framework the upper extremities of which areconnected by a curved member from which the ladder is hung.

Referring to the drawings forming apart of this application, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device showing it in its operative position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plate attachment to the top of the step ladder; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the framework which is supported by the step ladder; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the curved bar which connects the upper extremities of the framework and forms the support for the ladder; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the hook which forms the means for connecting the ladder to the curved bar which connects the upper extremities of the members secured to the step ladders,

one of these hooks being carried by the upper extremity of each of the side rails of the ladder, and Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the method of securing the framework to the plate which is secured to the top step of the step ladder.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates'a step ladder of common form.

The numeral 2 designates a plate which is provided with apertures 3 for thereception of bolts 4 for securing the plate 2 to the top step 5 of the step ladder 1. One edge of the plate 2 is provided with proj ecting members 6 having apertures 7, which apertures receive the members 8-8 of the frame work members 9. The frame work the lower extremity of eaclr of the mem bers 8 8', and form in combination with the bolt 11 means for adjustably securing the framework members 9 to the step ladder 1. The bolt 11 passesthrough the opening 20 in the members 6, said opening :20 extending in a plane at right angles to the opening. 7. Any suitable means may be employed to prevent displacement of the bolts 11.

A member 12, curved in a horizontal plane, is secured at each extremity to one Patented May 28,1912. 2

Application filed September 119, I911. Serial No. 650,181. a i

of the framework members 9 by bolts 13,

this curved member 12 forming a support for the upper extremity of the ladder 14,

asshownin Fig. 1 of the drawing. Secured to the upper extremity of each of the side hook passing around the curved bar 12,

thereby forming means for retaining the ladder 14 in position. By having the bar 12'curved, the same extends around the tree to be worked by the fruit-gatherer and permits of covering a large portion thereof and without moving the ladder until substantially a half of the tree has been covered.

In assembling my device, the step ladders are first properly positioned. The framework members 9 carrying the curved bar 12 are then secured in place on the ladders by passing the lower extremity of the members 8-8 through apertures 7'7 in rails of the ladder 14:, is a hook 15, this the projections '66 of the plate 2. The

apertures 11 of the members 88 are brought to register with the transverse openings of the members 66 of the plate 2, and the bolt 11' passed therethrough. The hooks 15 are then positioned to engage the curved bar 12, thus forming the sup port for the ladder 14.

I claim: 1. In combination with a pair of step ladders, a ladder-supporting device comprising a plate secured to each of said step ladders, vertically extending members secured in'each of said plates, and a bar connecting said vertically extending members.

2. A ladder-supporting device comprising in combination a pair of step ladders, a

plate secured to each of said step ladders,

a vertically extending ,member carried by said plate having a plurality of apertures,

each of said step ladders and secured in the apertures of said plate, and a curved bar connecting the upper extremities of the vertically extending members.

3. A ladder-supporting device comprising in combination a pair of step ladders, a vertically extending member secured to each of said step ladders, and a curved bar connecting the upper extremities of the vertically extending members.

4. A ladder-supporting device comprising in combination, a pair of step ladders, vertically extending members adjustably secured to each of said step ladders, and means for connecting the upper extremities of the vertically extending members.

5. A ladder-supporting device comp-rising in combination a pair of step ladders,

a plate secured to the upper step of each of said step ladders and provided with apertures, vertically extending members adjustably secured within the apertures of said plate, and means for connecting the upper gxtremities of the vertically extending memers.

6. The combination of supports, uprights carried by the supports, a cross bar connecting the uprights, said cross bar being curved in a horizontal plane, and a ladder supported by the cross bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. DOMINE, JOHN C. NIEPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

